The truth about six-pack abs, beyond crunches
The road to a flat stomach incorporates a healthy diet, cardio and core exercises that also engage the back. Six-pack abs -- everyone wants them, but only some know the best ways to get them. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just about staying loyal to the standard crunches. The secret to the six-pack is more complex and incorporates a healthful diet to reduce fat, cardio to get lean and let those abs show, and functional exercises that consistently engage the core muscles, which also involve the back. Those key abdominal muscle groups include the rectus abdominis (the ones along the front that comprise the six-pack); the internal and external obliques that flank the rectus abdominis and help the trunk rotate; and the deep muscle layer called the transversus abdominis that lends stability to the pelvis. Before being tempted by those late-night infomercials promising rock-hard abs in five minutes, read what these personal trainers have to say: